For decades, being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (DCC) was basically the equivalent of having a very prestigious, very exhausting, and very expensive hobby. You’ve seen them on the sidelines. The iconic blue and white stars, the perfectly coiffed hair, and those gravity-defying jump splits that make your own knees ache just watching. But for a long time, the bank accounts of these world-class athletes didn’t match the prestige of the uniform.
Honestly, it was a bit of a scandal.
While the Dallas Cowboys franchise soared to a valuation of over $10 billion, the women on the field were famously making "Chick-fil-A money." But things changed in 2025. Thanks to a massive public outcry sparked by the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts, the squad finally saw a shift in their paychecks. If you’re wondering how much do dcc make now, the answer is a lot more than they used to, but the "400% raise" headline requires a bit of a reality check.
The Pay Hike: Breaking Down the Numbers
The 2025-2026 season marked a massive turning point. Before the cameras started rolling for Season 2 of the Netflix show, most veterans were bringing home about $15 to $20 an hour for rehearsals and a flat $500 per game. When you do the math on a 12-hour game day, that’s not exactly "living the dream" money.
What the new rates look like
Veteran cheerleader Jada McLean and teammate Megan McElaney became the unofficial faces of this pay revolution. According to reports from The New York Times and details shared in the series, the pay structure was completely overhauled.
- Hourly Wages: Veterans can now earn upwards of $75 per hour. Compare that to the $15 hourly rate many were stuck with just a year prior.
- Game Day Pay: There are strong indications that game day rates moved from a flat fee to an hourly model or a significantly higher per-game stipend, with some estimates placing game day earnings at roughly $2,000 per game.
- Annual Estimates: While the Cowboys organization keeps the specifics of their contracts under lock and key, industry experts and former members suggest that a top-tier veteran could now pull in $150,000 a year.
That sounds like a lot. And it is, compared to the $30,000 to $75,000 range they were hitting before. But remember, this isn’t a 40-hour-a-week desk job. It’s a seasonal, high-intensity role that demands your entire life for a few months out of the year.
Why the Raise Happened (And Why It Took So Long)
It wasn't just corporate kindness. This was a slow-burn battle that started way back in 2018. Former cheerleader Erica Wilkins filed a lawsuit against the team, alleging she was paid significantly less than the team's mascot, Rowdy. That lawsuit was a wake-up call. It revealed that the mascot was making about $65,000 while the cheerleaders—the literal "face of the organization"—were scraping by on less than a third of that.
Then came Netflix.
When America's Sweethearts Season 1 aired, fans were horrified to see veterans like Kleine and Armani juggling four different jobs just to pay rent in Dallas. The optics were terrible for the Jones family. Charlotte Jones, the team’s Executive Vice President, had long maintained that the cheerleaders "don't come here for the money," but for the "sisterhood."
That sentiment didn't age well on social media. The pressure from fans and the bravery of the squad members who took their concerns to HR finally forced the needle to move.
The "Catch" with the New Contracts
Even with a 400% raise, there’s a catch. Or two. Or three.
First, the pay is heavily weighted toward experience. A rookie isn't making the same $75 an hour as a fifth-year veteran. There is a tiered system that rewards those who survive the grueling "Training Camp" and return for multiple seasons.
Second, the "400% increase" often refers specifically to the base game-day or hourly rate, not necessarily the total take-home pay for every single member. Some cheerleaders, like Reece Weaver, have mentioned on podcasts that while the raise is life-changing, the actual percentage felt more like 300% for some, depending on how you factor in appearance fees.
Third—and this is the big one—they still don't get health insurance. Despite the physical toll the job takes on their bodies, DCC members are still treated as part-time employees or independent contractors in some respects when it comes to benefits.
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Beyond the Sidelines: Appearance Fees and Brand Power
If you want to know how much do dcc make now, you have to look at the "All-Stars" and the special appearance groups. The DCC are basically the Rockettes of the NFL. They get booked for corporate events, USO tours, and charity galas.
Under the old system, these appearances paid roughly $500. Now, those fees have scaled up alongside the hourly rates. For a popular cheerleader with a massive Instagram following, the "DCC" title is a springboard for influencer deals that can dwarf their actual team salary.
Think about it.
A cheerleader with 500,000 followers can charge $5,000 for a single sponsored post. The Cowboys don't pay that, but the platform they provide makes it possible. This "opportunity" is what the organization used to use as an excuse for low pay. Now, the cheerleaders are getting both: the platform and a livable wage.
Is It Finally a Career?
Sorta. But not really.
Most DCC still maintain some form of outside career or education. You’ll see nurses, real estate agents, and dance teachers on the squad. Even at $150,000 a year, the "shelf life" of a cheerleader is incredibly short. Most retire by year four or five because the human body just wasn't designed to do power lunges on turf forever.
The pay raise makes it so they don't have to work at a coffee shop at 5:00 AM before heading to a six-hour rehearsal. It gives them the breathing room to be professional athletes.
The Economic Reality Table (Estimated)
| Pay Type | Pre-2025 Era | Post-2025 Era (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly (Rehearsal) | $12 - $20 | Up to $75 |
| Game Day | $400 - $500 | ~$2,000 |
| Annual Total | $30k - $75k | $75k - $151k |
| Health Benefits | None | None |
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Dancers
If you’re looking at these numbers and thinking about auditioning, the financial landscape has never been better. However, the competition has also never been fiercer. Here is what you need to know if you're eyeing that uniform:
- Longevity Pays: The real money kicks in during your third and fourth years. If you're going to do it, plan to stay long enough to hit the veteran pay tiers.
- Build Your Brand Early: The salary is great, but the real wealth comes from the "DCC Alumna" status. Treat your social media as a professional portfolio from day one.
- Budget for the "Costs": Even with the raise, you’re responsible for a lot of your upkeep. While the team provides some hair and makeup services, the "DCC Look" is expensive to maintain 365 days a year.
- Negotiate Appearances: If you make the squad, understand the new contract's appearance fee structure. Don't leave money on the table for corporate bookings.
The days of the "starving cheerleader" are mostly over in Dallas, but it's still a job that requires more heart than your average 9-to-5 ever will. It's a massive win for the women who paved the way, but as many of them will tell you, the fight for full benefits and long-term security in professional dance is still very much ongoing.